𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐎𝐘𝐀𝐋 𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐈𝐒 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐎𝐋𝐘𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐂 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐌𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐎𝐌 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐍 𝐓𝐎 𝐄𝐍𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄 𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐍 𝐓𝐎 𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐍 𝐓𝐎 𝐒𝐖𝐈𝐌 ✨️
Over 200 children are already benefitting from learn-to-swim packages in underserved areas as part of a partnership between The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales and Olympic gold medallist 𝐓𝐨𝐦 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐌𝐁𝐄' swim school, with more due to be rolled out across the year in pools across the UK.
Through the partnership, 1,000 young people who would not otherwise have access to swimming lessons will receive a package of 10 – 12 sessions each. This will help to break down the barriers that prevent them from gaining swimming as a life skill.
The 𝐓𝐨𝐦 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐰𝐢𝐦 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥, alongside personally selected certified instructors from independent swim schools across the country, will deliver the packages, which focus on the fundamentals of learning to swim and being safe in the water.
They will be provided in towns and cities across the country, from Birtley to Devon, Hull and Birmingham, with more lessons to be delivered throughout the school year.
This work is part of The Royal Foundation’s ongoing 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞 which seeks to mobilise unique coalitions to support and develop local community spaces where people come together to create opportunities and improve access to activities.
It builds on the achievements of the community in Birtley, Tyne and Wear, who last year reopened the Birtley Community Pool with support from the foundation. They also received support from The Tom Dean Swim School senior management who have offered regular consultation and strategic guidance. Since then, the pool – which is led by volunteers and a team of staff as a not-for-profit enterprise – has had over 88,000 visits by adults and children to swim.
𝐓𝐨𝐦 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐌𝐁𝐄, 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞-𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐎𝐥𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐜 𝐬𝐰𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐠𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭, said:
❝ Every child should have the opportunity to learn to swim and understand water safety. Swimming is a vital life skill that builds resilience, fosters social connection and keeps young people safe when they are in and around water.
This partnership with The Royal Foundation is supporting so many young people, up and down the UK, to find a pool near to them and dive in. Let’s get kids swimming, wherever they live. ❞
‘Let’s get kids swimming, wherever they live’: Olympic champion Tom Dean MBE partners with The Royal Foundation to enable hundreds of childr
